Arsenal chem firm buying spree continues with Velsicol

NEW YORK (ICIS news)--Arsenal Capital Partners has purchased Chicago-based specialty chemicals producer Velsicol for an undisclosed sum, Arsenal said this week. ?xml:namespace>

Arsenal is a New York-based private equity firm that invests in middle-market manufacturing and service companies.

Velsicol is the world’s largest producer of hexachlorocyclopentadiene and its derivatives, which are used in agrochemicals and fire retardants. Velsicol also produces non-phthalate polymers additives. The company operates four facilities in the ?xml:namespace>US and Europe.

“Velsicol is a technology company with a reputation around the world for building strong partnerships with its customers,” said Arthur Sigel, president and chief executive of Velsicol. “Arsenal’s resources will help us to enhance those partnerships through increased focus on and investment in technical innovation and product line growth.”

Last week, Arsenal acquired a controlling interest in Reilly Industries for $250m (Euro206m).

Arsenal Capital Partners has previously made investments in the specialty chemicals and related industrial sectors, including Rutherford Chemicals, Scientific Protein Laboratories, Sermatech International and Interdynamics.